Late night shuttle to UNH Cottages no longer available

DURHAM — Due to safety concerns for drivers, late night shuttle service at the University of New Hampshire to student housing complex The Cottages on Technology Drive is no longer offered.

According Erika Mantz of UNH Media relations, there were concerns for drivers safety during late night shuttle runs, including an attempt to tip a bus. Mantz said following that incident, the police were called and the service was shut down immediately.

On Sept. 10, she said The Cottages management, who contracted the shuttle service, met with UNH transportation services and the service, which ran Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, will no longer be provided.

"I think it's important to note that The Cottages hired the university to provide the shuttle services that they thought they wanted to offer their residents," associate vice president for business affairs Dave May, said.

He explained that while running, it was The Cottages discretion regarding when to offer the services; however, in light of these safety concerns the decision to halt those services was up to May.

"I stepped in and started to eliminate services," he said.

May also said there have been no similar issues pertaining to safety on any other university shuttles or busses.

"It's a very robust service throughout campus and I think we do a very good job and provide excellent service to the campus and students," he said.

Weekday transit through the Cottages Connector is still provided, Mantz explained, and The Cottages are free to provide an alternate service at night. The late-night service previously provided by UNH will no longer be available.

"I would say right now our plan is to not resume the service," May said.

The Cottages are owned by Capstone Properties and house roughly 600 students. A call to Capstone Properties in Durham was not retuned.